Pregnant, Constipated, and DESPERATE

Take more colace! I have horrible issues that were exacerbated by pregnancy, and I eat an incredibly high-fiber diet and drink tons of water, but I know of the panic "stuck" feeling you speak of. Colace really was a savior. Take 3 or 4 a day. One thing -after my first trimester I became more regular and had an easier time than I often do not pregnant. One thing I found -I've had such terrible problems, pushing out a baby was actually easier than a number of BMs I've had!

I had the same problems! Apple juice, probiotics (JarroDophilus), and fiber supplements helped me. If you end up with fiber supplements, benefiber is really easy to take. You can mix it in to anything and it doesn't affect the taste. When my pregnancies ended, so did my constipation- I am assuming the way I carry babies interferes with my intestines!

I used Metamucil...I used the pills b/c the powder had artificial color and flavor it in. The pills WERE NOT easy to get down b/c the directions said something like take 5 at a time...but it helped - greatly!

Water, water and more water. Even if you are drinking water, you are probably not drinking enough. Your body is using a ton of water right now, so you need more. Add a little sea salt to your diet as well so your body will hold on to some of the water... and no it will not make you swell. It will take a couple of days, but it will tremendously help. Try to drink at least half your wait in water everyday. It helps to divide it up.. say like if you way 150, then you would drink at least 75 oz a day... divide that up into 6 times. So from the the time you get up in the morning, start out by drink 12.5 oz of water and take a little sea salt. try to wait for about 15 min to half hour before eating. then in a couple of hours drink more and get another pinch of sea salt. Do this every few hours, 6 times a day and you will get in all of your water. And for those how will say that the salt is a bad ideal, check out the watercure. It has totally changed my life. Oh, and sea salt is not regular sodium at all. Too much sodium IS bad, sea salt is NOT. Please at least check into it. Like I said, it has totally changed my life. I am a COMPLETELY different person since I started this a few months ago.
And, if you do not like my advice, well I hope you find something that does work for you. I know what you are going through, I went throught the same thing. I used to cry when I tried to have a BM.

I am taking colace 3 times a day on the advice of my doctor. Also, my doctor suggested drinking the prune juice warm, I don't know if you are doing this, but I was drinking it cold and it didn't help, but surprisingly it worked when I warmed it up. Also, lots of fluids throughout the day and make sure that you are up and moving around because that also helps. I hope that this gets better for you, I know how miserable it can be.

Oh I have totally had this happen to me too! It happened during my 2nd pregnancy also...and it was the WORST. I've also never had any trouble with that so it really freaked me out. My ob told me to take Dulcolax...check with your ob first but you can buy it over the counter at any pharmacy. it doesn't give you instant loose stool or anything - it just softens your stool so you can go. It works within a couple of hours. Then just be sure to add more fiber to your diet. But your ob can give you more recommendations on that based on what he/she thinks is appropriate. Good luck, I totally sympathize with you!!

I had issues with constipation during my pregnancy as well. I drank lots of fluid during the day. I ended up having to use stool softeners and Miralax daily. Both you can get OTC. Exercise also helps keep things moving. Good luck.

try white grape juice, and be sure there are a couple of tbsp of olive oil daily in your diet, on a salad, to make an omlette, whatever. a big veggie egg white omlette with olive oil to fry the veggies does the trick for me.
oh, and soy milk calmed a lot of my stomach issues while i was preggo, i had unbelievable heartburn with all 3 of mine, and raising the head of my bed and a big glass of soy milk every day took everything down a notch...

Another quick solution maybe glycerin suppositories...they work wonders!!!

I was like you for my first pregnancy. Even got anal fissures (my bit of TMI!). For my second, I started taking a probiotic when I had issues, and wow, what a difference! It really helped keep me regular. I still had a random bout when I would forget to take the pill, but soooo much better. Also, make sure that you are drinking 100 ounces of water a day. I know, it seems like SO much, but that is what my ob said to drink while pregnant.

I used a fiber supliment (Metamucil capsules)and a stool softener quite often during pregnancy. They were approved by my doctor - but call your dr. first. Trust me - take them and do some walking. It will help a lot. And it will work. Feel better.

so typical... I have heard it's attributed to the iron in the prenatal vitamins. ask your ob/gyn to get you on a different vitamin it might help!

Gonna sound weird, but when I was preggo, I went 3 weeks w/o a bowel movement. The one thing that really worked with me was simple, easy and tasty...Sunny D. One medium glass each morning and I was never so regular in my life. Love it...hope this helps!

Benefiber is absolutely wonderful. And I agree with taking more Colace also. With my son, I ended up adding all of that AND adding a ton of fiber to my diet. I switched whole grain everything, at more apples and pears (probably 2-4 of those a day) and started eating Activia Yogurt. All of those combined helped a ton! I also kept suppositories in my purse for emergencies. I ended up doing the exact thing you describe before I made the above changes and had to call my husband to bring me suppositories to my job. It was horrible!

Good luck to you!!!

If you really are desperate, I can tell you how to fix the issue, but it is extreme: Green smoothies, every morning. They are made of raw greens, water, and fruit in a high-speed blender (which costs about $500 in itself). Buy the book Green For Life for recipes (though I never use them now, just experiment and go by taste).
It looks like pond scum and takes getting used to, for certain, but I used to get constipated all the time and now, never. Never, ever.
Oh, by the way, if you read that book you will also find out how AMAZINGLY good for you these are! I started my daughter on them at 8 months and she loves them! She whines and points (she's 16 months now) at my glass if I'm not quick enough!
Best of luck with all
S.

My last pregnancy was like this! I would go over 2 weeks without going and it was awful! I tried to drink a lot of water, raisen bran, beans, fruit, walking. It never really got better! After I had my son I was terrified of the first bm since it had been awhile before I had him and I had a csection so that was gonna make it tough! I found these things called bran buds in the cereal aisle. Kelloggs makes them, they look like gerbil food and dont really have a taste. I put them in my yogurt, with fruit, all of which will help you! I also put them in my salads, on ice cream at night, into my other cereals. 1/3 cup has like 13 grams of fiber in em. Like I said not much flavor but I really like the crunchy it gives my food and I have never been so regular in my life! I eat alot of high fiber foods anyways and always have but when I eat these on a regular basis I go almost everyday! Good luck!

did anyone tell you to switch prenatal vitamins. I couldn't take them at all and if I did I had horrible constipation. I took them 3 months for the first pregnancy and none at all for the 2nd one. For constipation, Fiber One cereal did wonders for me and Fiber One bars. Good luck!

I up my pear intake, either juice or the fruit. My kids' pediatrition recommended pear juice when my first got constipated for the first time as a baby and I've used it ever since, for them and me. Also upping water intake and I would add a gatorade a day too so I wasn't flushing out all my electrolites with all the water.

I had it bad too but i took some sort of exlax but then again i always have trouble going. its the vitamins. Try eating stewed prunes and high fiber ceral.
good luck

I had this with my 2nd child....colace does work, my doctor also told me to use benefiber....but what really worked for me was hot lemon water....worked like a charm. Take a cup of hot water (like you were making hot tea) and squeeze half of a lemon in it and drink....within an hour (for me) things were "moving" Good luck!

I didn't have any major issues with this while pregnant, but did have an issue after my first child was born (the episiotomy made it that much more painful). I can tell you a few things that helped, and help my kids when they are constipated, that may not be the typical things you would think of to help with constipation. Try eating lots of blueberries-they are a natural laxitive!! Mandarin oranges (the canned ones), Baked beans (full of fiber, though may cause more gas), raisin bran, Plum Sweets (dark choc. covered prunes), apple cider and coffee. Also, try taking a different pre-nartal vitamin... some have to much iron and can cause constipaton. I take a pre-natal right now because we are ttc, and it has a pro-biotic in it. Or take a pro-biotic like Culturelle... it helps keep things regular. Good Luck!

Ugh, I feel your pain. Three huge recommendations which have really helped me through my pregnancy (I've got 6 weeks to go!) - a daily walk, coconut water and prenatal DHA's. I take 4 DHA's daily and it's helped immensely with my skin and digestion. Feel better!

prenatal supplements can actually contribute to constipation , I suffered like this in my second pregnacy all the way through and was like it for about a week after birth , I just had to make sure I ate lot's of fruit and veggies , and drank enough water , I also found that caffine helped in the AM to get me going , so I would have a coffee when I got up.

Girl, I have literally felt your pain. It was the same story with my second pregnancy. I was given the stool softeners to no avail, there was no stool to soften! I was bloated, miserable, and very much wanting to mix the prune juice with vodka! The only thing that worked for me may not be something you want to do. Don't take your prenatals every day. All the iron in those pills is whats blocking you up. I took my prenatals only twice a week and suplamented by eating really well. Talk to your OB. It worked for me. I had a 8.6pd healthy girl and a 8.4 pd poop.

I read only couple of posts, I had the same problem when I was pregnant three pregnancies and got worst when I was pregnant with our third son. It was horrible. So, these are things that helped me go, baby spinach and that still helps me. Fruit juices that are 100% juice, not the cocktails that are only 10% fruit juice, some people get constipated with bananas, but I don't and it helps me go. Eat bran stuff too besides fiber. Like....bran muffins, put butter or margarine on it and eat it and enjoy it, cereals with bran, but I think baby spinach was the key and I drank prune juice and it didn't keep it loose. So, try those but bran stuff really helps along with fiber. I personally don't like to take meds whether I was pregnant or not. I do things naturally. If you end up with hemorroids as a result of all this constipation, you may get kick out of this, but the best, natural thing my midwife told me to do is get a rustic potato, slice it thin as if making potato chips and put one slice on the hemoroids and it will shrink it up, not done it yet but will if need to. I thought it was hilarious!!

Prunes and/or Juice, Activa yogurt, kiwi fruit, green stuff.
You'll be fine, and congratulations

Hey I know how constipation can really be frustrating. Eating actual prunes or dried prunes will work more effectively, dried figs and or dried apricots are also a great relief. Gas and bloating can be eased with juiced apples and a chunk of ginger. 3 apples, one medium chunk of ginger. Fennel powder will also work super well blended into your water, its a gas gonner.

These are all fine to use while pregnant but still ask your OB/pcp before.
Blessings

Benefiber is great - no taste, blends well with food or drinks.

I went through something similar. I was taking colace and drinking prune juice everyday. So much so that the thought of prune juice makes me sick to this day. Try glycerin supositories. (Not sure how to spell). I used them a few times while pregnant. You put them in your butt and literally within 5 min you will be in the bathroom. Check with your Dr but mine said they were fine to use. It basically just lubricated the area so everything can come out easier. Hopefully this will help.

also try nuts...like almonds. check with your ob to make sure you are ok to have nuts but they will help

I Am so sorry. I feel your pain!
Sometimes there just isn't much to do but make sure you are drinking a lot of water. A lot more than you think you need. Also yogurt or take a probiotic everyday would be great too. Might take a couple days to get it moving. Go for a full fat yogurt: tastes great & great for baby!

One thing I have found that helps is getting regular exercise. I agree with many of the other posts that say drink water, eat a lot of fiber, etc. but exercise is what helps me the most. Try going out for a walk to get things moving.

A cup or two of decafe coffee might help.

Blessings.....

I have similar issues, nothing getting stuck yet though thank God!!!! I had to stop taking my prenatal vitamins. The iron in them will harden the stool. I also avoid foods like bananas...stool hardening foods. I try to drink more water and there is a natural vegetable laxative called Senna tablets, the brand name is Senokot tablets. Every now and then I take one of those and a stool softener like Colace before bed. They seem to really help. Like you I really try not to take anything during pregnancy, not even tylenol. I hope this 'passes' soon. :)

I had a similar problem and it had so much to do with the iron in the vitamins with my first. I switched to Solgar pre-natal nutrients which did not cause me the same constipation issues. I also got this powdered fiber from vitamin shoppe (their house brand) and would put a tbpsn in whatever I had to drink first thing in the morn and last thing at nite and helped tremendously. My guess is it's the iron in the prenatals. I followed this same routine with my 2nd and since i never used the RX vits I didnt have as much of a problem.... sounds likes its a boy LOLOL

Change your prenatal vitamins. My friend was throwing up with no warning in her first trimester, but when she changed her vitamins, she didn't throw up at all for the rest of the pregnancy. After delivery, the dr. put me on extra iron and said specifically that it causes constipation, so I used the Colace too and it worked fine.

Try avoiding dairy for a while to see if that helps. Dairy can cause constipation. Keep doing all the other things as well as exercise because they are all good for you!

For immediate help, try some epsom salt baths. For longer term add homemade (or non-pasteurized) sauerkraut into your diet. <Really any fermented veggies are good, but the stuff that's on the shelf in the supermarket is not what you are looking for ;) > If you can't get that, try some good probiotics.

Oh and check out any prenatals you may be taking --the iron can lead to constipation. If you feel you nee the vitamins, try a different kind that may agree with you more.

Hi YoMama,
First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! You just described my second pregnancy! I completely understand, and yup it sucks!!! The following helped, but it didn't go away completely until after the baby was born. Colace (comes in different strengths - take a stronger one), metamucil, and water. Good luck! It will be over before you know it.

I had the same problem. There are prenatals that have stool softeners in them. I believe mine was Prenate Elite. Try not to push, it can give you horrible hemorrhoids. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water, and try sitting in a warm bath to relax yourself. HTH!

I havent had a lot of problems with this, but my daughter gets constipated sometimes. I find it happens the most if she's been drinking too much milk or having too much dairy. I'm not sure if this is something that would apply to you, but maybe you're drinking more milk or something lately.

And something that helps get things moving down there for my husband is corn. Popped corn, corn on the cob, whatever, always helps. Good luck, mama!

Oh no. Sounds rough. This happened to me last time, but at the end of my pregnancy. It sounds weird, but my midwife said to drink as much water as I could at once, and as hot as I could take it. I was very skeptical. But, I put on the kettle, and basically drank hot water--tried to down about a quart. It worked like magic--15 minutes later, I could go and things were much easier, smoother. I know that doesn't solve your long-term problem, but it definitely helps in those moments when you have to go and can't! Good luck, and congrats on the pregnancy!

I had the EXACT same problem and was doing everything to avoid meds myself, but the only thing that helped was taking Colace and Miralax. Do it for your sanity. My son come out fine. I don't believe that your doctor would recommend something that would harm your child. Plus the stress you are going through because of it could be more harmful.

Miralax--gentle, safe and EFFECTIVE

I was the same way! almost ended up in the er b/c of fecal impaction i think they call it. i used an enema. i know it doesnt sound fun but omg it helped soooo much and i felt so much better! ask your doctor about it.

Updated

I was the same way! almost ended up in the er b/c of fecal impaction i think they call it. i used an enema. i know it doesnt sound fun but omg it helped soooo much and i felt so much better! ask your doctor about it.

Updated

I was the same way! almost ended up in the er b/c of fecal impaction i think they call it. i used an enema. i know it doesnt sound fun but omg it helped soooo much and i felt so much better! ask your doctor about it.

Eat activia yogurt everyday...it worked great for my first pregnancy....it takes a little time to start working but it works. Good luck!

Hi YoMama,

Don't know if this has been suggested yet because I didn't read the other posts. I buy 2% milk for my 3-year old, but every now and then I just have a craving for milk so I have a glass and - boy oh boy - does it make me go! I am lactose intolerant, so I am sure that has a lot to do with it. But I find that if I drink a full glass, it doesn't give me gas, it just completely cleans out my system. FYI, I am not pregnant now.

Metamucil works well for me also.

Good luck!

My doctor told me to use Metamucil. It is just a fiber supplement that you add to liquid. I generally put the recommended dose in a cup of hot water. Also, my great grandmother always recommended drinking hot liquids such as hot decaf tea.

Hi, here is my TMI answer! Suppository's! I also had the same problem when I was pregnant w/my first. Prune juice didn't work as I couldn't keep it down! And nothing else seemed to help. When I got desperate I tried them. You can get them at the pharmacy. They are just glycerin, so nothing harsh or to affect the baby.(And you don't ingest them, they go*whispers* in your butt!) They work w/in an hour! Yup, an hour! (I don't think it ever even took that long!) I was one happy camper when I found them! My Dr said they were fine to use while pregnant. Your situation may change as you progress and your hormones change also. Of course keep eating healthy, lots of fiber and water (I found that water really helped w/my second, had no troubles!) Good luck!

what about a different prenatal vitamin? when i was preggo i took 2 flinestone vitamins daily(kids chewables) bc the prenatal vitamins didnt like me either!!!